The successful restoration of Fort Jefferson Tortugas Harbor Lighthouse was a testament to teamwork. TYLin | Silman Structural Solutions‘s preservation expertise, Stone & Lime Historic Restoration Services‘s historic masonry skills, and Plan B Engineering‘s knowledge of in structural stability and logistics worked together to overcome the challenges of this demanding site.

Our role involved designing a scaffold system to fully support the deteriorated cast iron structure. This included a redundant lateral system robust enough to withstand hurricane-force winds. The scaffold was tested by the onslaught of Category 5 Hurricane Irma in 2017, which passed nearby with no damage to the lighthouse.

Additionally, the same scaffold and bracing system was instrumental in the disassembly of the structure by Robinson Iron Corp for offsite restoration. Using a detailed sequence developed in collaboration with Silman, Plan B provided direction for carefully disassembling the structure piece by piece while using the scaffolding to hold the remaining structure in place. This unique project required our team to travel by seaplane to stay on the remote island for extended periods to direct the disassembly process in real-time. With input from Robinson Iron, a gantry system into the scaffold significantly expedited the removal of larger cast iron panels, which allowed the entire lighthouse to be disassembled during a short window of suitable weather.

This project was more than a technical endeavor; it showcased how the right team of skilled professionals, effectively collaborating, can address unique challenges. The job demanded a thoughtful and effective design approach suited to the remote location, underlining our commitment to thoughtful preservation.